Jhum rice – Green gram system: an option for doubling the farmers income under Longleng District of Nagaland

Manoj Kumar, K.L. Meena, D.J. Rajkhowa, L.K.Baishya & A.Namei

Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Longleng
ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Nagaland Centre, Medziphema, Nagaland

 

Background: Pulses are the integral part of many diets across the globe and they have great potential to improve the human health, conserve soil fertility, protect the environment and contribute to global food security. India is the largest producer, consumer and importer of the pulses in the world. Despite India being the largest producer (18.5 million tons) and imports around 5.51 million tons during the year 2015-16, which share the 31.78 % of the production. With this production level, the per capita pulse availability in NER is hardly 12.5 g against 43.3 g at national level. Considering the recommended per capita dietary pulse intake of 50 g, the pulse production in this region needs to be increased by almost 10 times to make this region self-sufficient in pulses. The fact that the productivity of the pulses in this region (848 kg/ha) is higher than that of country’s (764 kg/ha) indicated that this region suits well to pulse production. Although the area and total production of pulses in NER increased over the years. The requirement and deficit of pulses for NER, considering per capita consumption at 18.25 kg per annum. The NEH region as a whole has a deficit of 78.79 % in pulses and 6.4% deficit in Nagaland. Rice is the stable food of Longleng and cultivated an area of ~7.42 thousand ha with the production (13.62 thousand ha). Rice is most important grown crop in Jhum fields of Longleng, Nagaland. About 12% of the total geographical area of the district is under Jhum rice. Rice is cultivated during February-March to July-August and leaving the land rest of the period as fallow. Whereas rainfall in the region continues up to the end of October and residual moisture remains in the field till to December. Thus there is potential for growing of short duration pulse (green gram) as a second crop not only to fulfill the deficit of pulses in Nagaland but also increase the income of the Jhumias along with enhancing the soil fertility status.

 

Methodology

Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Longleng is situated at 26° 26′ 0″ N Latitude, 94° 52′ 0″ E Longitude with altitude of 1366 m MSL. The soil is generally high in soil organic carbon, low to medium in available N and K and low to medium in available P. The frontline demonstrations (20 nos.) on Green gram (Cv. Pratap) was conducted under Jhum rice fallow by KVK Longleng in different villages under the District in an area of 2.0 ha and 2.5 ha during the year 2016-17 and 2017-18 respectively. Green gram was sown as second crop after harvesting of rice in residual soil moisture just harvesting of Jhum rice during the last week of August to 1st week of September. The crop was sown with spacing of 30-40 cm between the row and plant-plant spacing was maintained 10-15 cm. The recommended doses of fertilizers (RDF) were applied @ 20:60:40 kg NPK/ha with sources of DAP and MOP. DAP and MOP was applied @ 13 kg and 6.7 kg respectively for 1000 m2 during the time of sowing. Line was made with the help of adjustable row marker or with the help of locally available small spade. After the germination of green gram, paddy straw was kept in between the row to conserve the soil moisture and suppress the weed growth. If necessary, weeding was done to field free from weed up to 35 days. Neem oil was sprayed @ 3-4 ml per litre of water to manage the insect pest and disease problem at interval of 7-10 days. The green gram crop was matured in about 70-75 days.

Impact of technology:

Result revealed that rice yield ranges from 1710-1910 kg/ha (mean: 1820 kg/ha) before the adoption of technology at farmers field. Green gram crop was harvested and average seed yield was recorded 920 kg/ha, which gives the additional net profit of Rs. 18510 per ha in 70 days with income per day was found Rs.264/day. It was also reported that the yield of rice was increased by 10-25 % after growing of green gram in jhum rice field. Therefore, it could be concluded that green gram is an option for growing in residual soil moisture just after harvesting of jhum rice not only in Longleng, but also in all the jhum land where similar climate is following for getting additional income of the farmers and also enhance the soil fertility status which ultimately increase the yield of succeeding rice/green gram crop.

 

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